LOCAL LIFE
‘ A shady and beautiful tree-lined boulevard ’ – Windsor town centre works to start
Stage one of the highly anticipated revitalisation of George Street , Windsor started in June .
Stage one of the works will stretch from Windsor Railway Station to Fitzgerald Street . Work will initially be focused between the railway station and Hawkesbury Valley Way before working its way north towards the mall .
The project will involve tree planting on the footpath verge , where possible , as well as along the edge of the roadway . The roadway tree locations have been carefully planned to minimise impact on loss of car parking spaces . Wheel stops will be installed around trees planted on the roadway for the convenience of motorists .
Trees planted in the roadway will use strata vault technology – a root planting structure that prevents tree roots from lifting the footpath and roadway . The trees – a combination of brush box , crepe myrtle and weeping lily pilly , were selected by tree specialists to be the right species for this location .
Planting established trees will increase shade and improve scenery throughout , enhancing the visual appearance . This will create a shady and beautiful treelined boulevard along one of our busiest business and shopping areas , reducing temperatures and making George Street an even more enjoyable space to visit .
Trees in urban areas can reduce temperatures in the immediate area by up to 8C , improve air quality , reduce summer power bills by 12-15 per cent through reduced air conditioner use , and provide habitat for local fauna . Over 100 trees will be planted as part of this stage .
Council will also replace existing old pavers from Tebbutt Street to Fitzgerald Street and from Christie Street to Fitzgerald Street with new pavers .
Existing pedestrian crossings between Tebbutt Street and Fitzgerald Street will be upgraded with low gardens and better lighting to improve the safety and visibility of pedestrian crossings .
Stage one will be completed in shorter sections with a combination of day and night works to minimise the impact on residents and businesses where possible . Stage one is anticipated to complete by early 2025 ( weather permitting ).
Additional stages will include Windsor Mall and George Street up to Thompson Square . Those stages are still in planning and were on exhibition in June for community feedback on the concept stage . Further details on those stages will be released later this year .
For full details , to provide feedback and for updates throughout the works , visit the project page a www . hawkesbury . nsw . gov . au / forresidents / current-projectsnear-you / liveability
The Windsor Town Centre Revitalisation Project is funded under the Western Parkland City Liveability which is part of the Western Sydney City Deal . The Western Sydney City Deal is a partnership between the NSW and Australian Governments and the eight councils of the Western Parkland City . The project is part of the Greening Our City grant program that is proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Local Government NSW .
8 ISSUE 170 // JULY 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT